David Allison is the world’s leading authority on human values, a 2X best-selling author, and the founder of the groundbreaking Valuegraphics Project—the first global inventory of core human values. By transforming values into measurable data, David has created an entirely new kind of human-centric insights that are as practical as they are profound, revolutionizing how organizations understand and influence people.

David’s insights, drawn from nearly one million surveys conducted in 152 languages, help global giants like Google, PayPal, lululemon, and the United Nations Foundation connect with people on a deeply human level. His cutting-edge research is taught in college classrooms around the world, and his best-selling book, The Death of Demographics, has been hailed by critics as “convincing, insightful, and revolutionary.” Known for his engaging style and ability to inspire action, David equips audiences with transformative tools they can put to work immediately.

Nicolas Mulroney co-founded Bond Bakery Brands in 2020, bringing together his passion for food, his interest in growing companies, and his vision to build a better bakery company.

The journey into the bakery industry happened by chance, with the investment in Portofino Bakery. Envisioning the company as Canada’s next premier commercial artisan bakery, Nicolas, his co-founders, and a group of supportive investors acquired the company in 2019. Since then, Nicolas and his team have made five strategic investments across Canada, exclusively targeting family- and founder-run bakery companies. When the pandemic disrupted the world in March 2020, Nicolas saw an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Responding to the immediate need for food in local shelters, pallets of bakery products were delivered overnight to communities in need. This became the genesis for Bond Bakery Brands and the vision for an impact-driven bakery company.

Residing in Toronto, ON, with his wife Katy and four children, Nicolas finds joy outside of work in a familiar place. When not immersed in bakery-related matters at work, he’s crafting pizzas in his backyard or perfecting his chocolate chip cookie recipe. Beyond the food industry, Nicolas indulges in his passion for running and golf, rounding out a blend of professional and personal pursuits.

Alan Maddox, was born in Florenceville New Brunswick, a proud son of a New Brunswick Potato Family,

Alan, went on, not to farm but,  to Saint Mary’s University earning his B. Comm. and on to Study International Business at  Western University, in London, Ontario.

Alan, joined McCain Foods in 1980, out of Halifax, and was on a 6 year fast trax to more, much more:  Halifax, St. John’s, Thunder Bay, Brandon, Winnipeg, Regina, and then back to his hometown Florenceville, NB.  With this,  he  experienced sales, living in these various cities across Canada, moving from position to position with each a promotion;   until he was asked by the Chairman and Founder of McCain Foods “Harrison McCain “ to become the New Director of International Business for McCain World Wide, looking after and exploring new countries for McCain Foods, reporting directly to Mr. McCain.  At an early age, this was the life changing opportunity.

In 1994, he had a chance to invest and partner with his Friend Tom Poole and 2 other Gentlemen, James Pratt and Jos Rehli, to rebuild a small challenged  $1.0 Million Bakery  called “Sepp’s Gourmet Foods”, in Vancouver, so he packed up his family and moved from Florenceville NB(Head Office for McCain) to Vancouver.  A journey that altered his life, for the better, opportunity to expand and fulfil his dream of ownership.

In 2019, Alan joined Premium Brands, after enjoying both Corporate Life and Entrepreneurial Life, decided that Premium Brands was the perfect fit.  Alan had gotten to know the CEO George Paleologou over the years and loved what PB was doing and was a company that appreciated Entrepreneurs, understood them and respected them.  Alan joined and became the Vice President of the Premium Brand Culinary Group in 2019 and then became President of the Premium Brands Culinary Group, one of 6 platforms within Premium Brands, in 2021, to which holds that title today.

Alan resides in Vancouver,  married to his supporting wife Joy and two Children:  Jordan who is a partner in a local Architectural Firm here in Vancouver and Erika who is a Senior Marketing Mger at Keurig Dr. Pepper in Toronto.  Alan is the proud new Grandfather of Theo, the most important part of this whole Bio, according to Alan.

Peter Dhillon is a distinguished Canadian business leader, philanthropist, and advocate for global humanitarian causes. As the CEO of the Richberry Group of Companies, he oversees one of North America’s leading agribusiness operations with key locations in British Columbia and Quebec. The Richberry Group is a major player in the cranberry industry, holding significant assets and being one of the largest shareholders and suppliers to Ocean Spray Cranberries.

In addition to his role as CEO, Dhillon serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Ocean Spray Cranberries, making him the first Canadian to hold this prestigious position. Under his leadership, The Richberry Group has made remarkable advancements in sustainable farming, production, and global trade in the agribusiness sector.

Beyond business, Dhillon has made substantial contributions in healthcare, education, sports, and global development. His philanthropic efforts, particularly focusing on Supporting animal rights,  education, and social justice, have had a lasting impact. In 2009, he was awarded the Order of British Columbia for his tireless work and community contributions. Additionally, Dhillon founded the Peter P. Dhillon Centre for Business Ethics at the University of British Columbia, ensuring that future generations of business leaders uphold high corporate responsibility standards.

Dhillon’s contributions to agriculture and philanthropy have been recognized globally. In 2018, he was inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame, and he received the Ellis International Medal of Honor for his global business leadership and philanthropy. He has also received honorary doctorates from the University of British Columbia (UBC), the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), and the University of Leeds.

A committed public servant, Dhillon has held influential positions on various boards, including Vice Chairman of the British Columbia Ferry Corporation and the Agriculture Land Commission. He has also served on the boards of Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, the Vancouver Airport Authority, and Simon Fraser University. His leadership was vital in the success of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, where he served on the Vancouver 2010 Organizing Committee Board and as Chairman of the Audit Committee.

Dhillon was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Bank of Canada in December 2017, reflecting his expertise in the financial sector. He also served as Chairman of the Vancouver branch of Right to Play, a global organization that improves health and fosters peace for children affected by war and poverty.

Peter Dhillon’s legacy as a businessman, philanthropist, and global advocate for positive change continues to inspire leaders and organizations worldwide.

Rahul is a seasoned science and innovation professional with over 15 years of leadership experience in academia and industry. He specializes in biotechnology, entrepreneurship, and commercialization, and is an accomplished strategist and partnership builder. As the Director of the BC Centre for Agritech Innovation, he leads the Centre in supporting the agriculture and agrifood sectors to become more sustainable and resilient by adopting innovative technologies, enhancing productivity and food security.

Rahul has worked across BC’s agriculture, agri-food, forestry, mining, and life sciences sectors in an interdisciplinary manner. He is passionate about advancing innovation in these sectors by building public-private partnerships and user-driven programs to make Canada globally competitive.

Before joining BCCAI in 2023, Rahul worked at Genome BC, The University of British Columbia, the Atomic Energy Commission in France and the private sector in India. Rahul holds a PhD in Microbiology, a graduate certificate in invention 2 Innovation from The Beedie School of Business and a mini-MBA from UBC-Sauder.

Yasmin is a 16-year-old entrepreneur from Vancouver, Canada, and the founder of Changemakers, an international non-profit dedicated to spotlighting industry leaders and creatives in the health and wellness industry. Growing up in Vancouver, a city at the forefront of health innovation, one is constantly exposed to new food trends, emerging brands, and the power of nutrition. From sampling the latest protein bars at local markets to enjoying plant-based meals at gatherings, individuals in this environment develop a fascination with how food can do more than just nourish the body—it can drive innovation, build community, and shape the way people live.

Driven by her curiosity about the stories behind the brands shaping the wellness industry, Yasmin founded Changemakers to connect with the trailblazers crafting “better-for-you” and nourishing food innovations. Under her leadership, Changemakers has reached over 500K people on socials, donated thousands of healthy meals to underserved communities, hosted live interviews with founders at schools, and conducted 200+ interviews with “changemakers,” including entrepreneurs featured on Forbes, Shark Tank, and Dragons’ Den.

Changemakers’ mission is simple: to showcase companies revolutionizing healthier foods and empower people to prioritize their health.

Chef Steph Baryluk, Co founder of Nihkhah, a proud Teetl’it Gwich’in from Teetl’it Zheh (Fort McPherson) in Treaty 11 Territory,  she draws deep inspiration from her Arctic upbringing, where hunting, fishing, and land stewardship shaped her connection to food and culture. With over 10 years of experience in the culinary industry, Chef Steph is passionate about preserving and sharing Indigenous culinary traditions through her creations and educational initiatives.

Named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2024, Chef Steph is a leader in advancing Indigenous food systems. She combines her culinary expertise with advocacy, inspiring future generations and promoting sustainability and cultural heritage on a global stage.

Chiwis Founder & CEO Sarah Goodman is making waves in the CPG space, and she’s doing it without spending all of her weekends at the farmer’s market. A registered nutritionist, Sarah had been making crispy kiwi chips in her home kitchen for years and heard a similar response from friends and family when they tried her sweet and tangy kiwi chips, “ These are so different from chewy dried fruit, where can I buy them”? At the time she was the CEO at VitalSines, a consumer health technology start-up. She was ready for a change, and as a serial entrepreneur, she was always ready for new business venture. With the response she got from her kiwi chips, she thought she may have a great business opportunity on her hands. Sarah launched Chiwis in Whole Foods, BC in February 2021 with two flavours, and now has eight delicious flavours of upcycled fruit chips available in over 800 stores in Canada and the west coast of the USA, most recently launching into Whole Foods Northern California. Sarah has grown Chiwis with a lean mentality, and has seen on average 80% growth year over year, while reaching profitability in an uncertain environment. Sarah is dedicated to sharing her learnings with young entrepreneurs and helping others to navigate the wide world of CPG.

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Professor in food distribution and policy in the Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also located at Dalhousie University.

Known as “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. He is one of the world’s most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability with over 775 published peer-reviewed journal articles. Dr. Charlebois is also an editor for the prestigious Trends in Food Science Technology journal. He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, discussing issues in the food, foodservice, grocery and restaurant industries and which is the most listened Canadian management podcast in Canada. Every year since 2012, he has published the now highly anticipated Canadian Food Price Report, which provides an overview of food price trends for the coming year. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several newspapers and media groups, nationally as well as internationally. He has testified on several occasions before parliamentary committees on food policy-related issues as an expert witness. He has been asked to act as an advisor on food and agricultural policies in many Canadian provinces and other countries.

Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, and Industry Leader

Dan On is a visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist whose journey from a refugee to a global business leader is a testament to resilience and determination. Born in Vietnam, he arrived in Canada in 1979 at the age of 18. Throughout the 1980s, he worked tirelessly to build a foundation for success, leading to the establishment of Dan-D Foods Ltd in 1989. Today, his brand, Dan-D-Pak, is a leader in the global food industry, with operations across multiple countries.

Beyond business, Dan On has made philanthropy a cornerstone of his legacy. In 2012, he founded the Dan On Charitable Foundation, which has since supported numerous initiatives, including orphanages in Vietnam. Between 2022 and 2024, he sponsored two refugee families, helping them start new lives in Canada. His generosity also extends to healthcare and education, with major contribution commitments such as $10 million and additional $425,000 (fundraising event) to Richmond Hospital Foundation, $7 million donation to the University of British Columbia and $500,000 to Saanich Peninsula Hospital & Health Care Foundation. Additionally, and launched the Planet Smile initiative in 2023 for children with cleft lips & palate and he contributed $1 million USD gift for an ambulance, a fire engine to the Ho Chi Minh City Committees, Mother Teresa project to adopted over 100 orphans in Vietnam in 2024.

Dan On’s commitment to innovation continues to shape the industry. In 2024, he launched the East Pacific Foods Project and a cutting-edge Innovation Centre to drive sustainability and advancement in food production. His company has also been recognized among the “Best Companies to Work For”, and he has been honored as an influential business leader.

With a passion for excellence, corporate responsibility, and community impact, Dan On’s legacy is one of business success and unwavering dedication to making a difference worldwide.